Policy Intent:

This policy seeks to improve how residents and visitors move through the parish and in particular, how they access the town centre. This requires understanding the options for active travel and how to improve the active travel network to reduce the need to rely on use of the private car for short, local journeys. In addition, for those who will occupy new developments in the town centre in the years to come, lower levels of car ownership may be appropriate in this sustainable location, but for those who require a car, the inclusion of dedicated car club parking spaces and access to EV charging points.

Part one of this policy idea is therefore to map the existing active travel network (walking, cycling, bus routes, train routes) and to use the status of the LLNP to draw to the attention of developers where this network is so that they can take it into account in designing their proposals, and especially how their schemes are accessed if they are located next to the network.

The map can also identify opportunities for improvement to encourage a higher uptake of active travel modes of transport, to assist decision makers and developers in prioritising funding when investing in the network. In particular providing safer routes to schools to encourage active travel and reduce levels of congestion through the town centre and around the schools at peak times. This policy will also support the objectives in the CBC Local Transport Plan 3.

The policy draws from two main evidence bases:

1. Leighton Linslade LCWIP which seeks to improve and enhance the quality of the urban public realm.
2. The Leighton Linslade Green Wheel Masterplan, which seeks to encourage healthy lifestyles by connecting people with the environment through the creation of multifunctional access routes and green spaces around the Leighton- Linslade area.

The foundation of the Green Wheel are public rights of way, footpaths, and bridleways. As with LCWIPs, Green Wheel masterplans require the creation of new routes and rights of way to fill gaps in the network.

The Green Wheel creates a wildlife rich setting through attractive green and blue landscape corridors, the circular rim and “spokes” linking the town centre to it, will provide walking and riding access opportunities around the town. Many of the planned routes will also provide opportunities for the less able to appreciate attractive and tranquil links to their favoured destinations.

There has also been a permeability survey undertaken by Buzz Cycles on eastern Leighton Buzzard, which has been added to the evidence base on the website, providing a number of detailed opportunities to improve the network on this side of town.

Part two of this policy idea considers parking requirements, specifically in the town centre, encouraging developments which advocate low car ownership and where the CBC Parking Standards Policy may not be feasible or appropriate for new residential development in such a highly sustainable location. The policy can also seek to safeguard appropriate levels of publicly available parking in the future for those who are unable to use active transport modes of travel to access the town centre or other local services and facilities.